Stow · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Stow public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Entry-Level Police Officer Examination
The Commission was set to address the civil service examination process for entry-level police officers — the test that determines who lands on the eligibility list for hiring. How it's run shapes who gets a shot at joining the Stow Police Department.
Lateral Transfer Police Officer Process
The Commission was set to take up the lateral transfer process, which lets experienced officers from other departments join Stow's force without going through the full entry-level exam. It's a tool departments use to fill vacancies faster.
2027 Capital Improvement Plan adoption
The city's spending roadmap for 2027 roads, parks, fire equipment and water infrastructure was adopted after a version swap that trimmed $518,000. Residents on Graham Road learned resurfacing comes next spring and a federally funded sidewalk project is targeted for 2030.
Municipal electrification feasibility study
A council-suggested goal: exploring whether city staff vehicles should be electric or hybrid, starting with a pilot program rather than a full fleet replacement.
AMP Entertainment District drink-and-walk zone (Ordinance 2026-156)
A designated outdoor refreshment area would let people carry open drinks within the AMP entertainment district between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. A public hearing is set for October 22, with a vote expected December 10.
Hudson Drive Extension water line
A 40-year local contractor is trying to open a new business at 3691 Hudson Drive but needs water service. He says city staff and council members have been helping and hopes to open this year.
2027 City Budget Appropriations
The annual appropriation ordinance sets salaries, benefits, and operating costs for every city fund in 2027 — police ($9.4M) and fire ($6.8M) are the largest general fund lines. It stays at first reading while staff finalize a few numbers.
Duplex and townhome housing permits
This amendment would allow apartments and multifamily complexes on lots fronting seven major roads plus bus routes, with a 10-units-per-acre cap. It's the centerpiece of Stow's push to build a real downtown, but residents on Fishcreek and Norton Roads worry traffic and rentals will change quiet neighborhoods.
Court postage budget increase
Coffey wants to check whether another company could provide courthouse postage before the city locks in another year with Pitney Bowes — the item advanced only as a first reading.
2026 Road Maintenance and Improvement Plan
The city's road program is running behind because crews have replaced 71 catch basins this year — way more than the usual 12 per year — which slowed paving. Seasons Road got paved first and crews are now in Ward 3. A full update is coming November 5.
Rezoning of 4239 Kent Road for commercial use
A new 30-year tax-increment financing district will support the Kent Road development with a Chick-fil-A, a Sheetz, and two retail buildings. About $5.4 million in increased property investment will be captured over 30 years, with school and library compensation payments built in.
Twinsburg Prosecution Services Contract
Stow will prosecute Munroe Falls' misdemeanor and traffic cases for $15,000 a year over five years, boosting efficiency at Stow Municipal Court.
City general insurance renewal (property, casualty, cyber)
The city's insurance premium rose 4% to about $399,000 for 2026-27. This is the last year of the current three-year contract, and the city will seek bids for a new one in 2027.
Water rate increase (Ordinance 2026-137)
Water rates haven't gone up since 2011, and the city faces aging lines, 98 main breaks last year, and budget deficits. The committee sent a four-year, 38-cent increase to council — expect bills to rise gradually rather than all at once.
Four new firefighters to cover retirements
The fire department is losing people to retirement and council just approved hiring four replacements. That keeps staffing and response times where residents expect them.
Law Director's departure and Issue 34
Drew Reilly is leaving for the private sector after 4.5 years, and he used his final report to push a ballot issue: Issue 34 would raise the law director's pay, which he says is lower than other attorneys in his own department. Deputy Steve Hooten steps in as acting law director.
Growth in Senior Programs and Youth Sports
Membership is at 522 for 2026, growing about 100 per month, and a 172-person survey confirms seniors want the current programs plus line dancing. Staff plan multiple simultaneous programs in different rooms this year.
Developer attendance at council meetings
Two developer items were tabled partly because the applicants didn't show up. Riehl called it a 'bad habit'; staff admitted a notification error on one item. Developers asking for city approval may now face more pressure to appear in person.
Former bowling alley redevelopment
Council members keep getting asked about the old Stow Kent bowling alley site. Plans are approved and fencing is up, but permitting isn't done and there's no construction start date; the planning director will email members a factsheet to share with residents.
2026 Annual Staffing Report and 2027 Positions
The city reported 239 full-time-equivalent employees and floated five new or backfill positions for 2027 — including a long-needed second engineering inspector. Council wants more detail on merit raises before the budget moves ahead.
2027 Employee Health and Benefit Renewals
Stow keeps its partially self-funded health plan through 2027, with MMO handling administration ($170,000 cap) and stop-loss coverage ($630,000 cap) for about 225 employees, plus Guardian life, dental, and vision coverage capped at $68,500.
Sale of city land to EnviroScience Inc.
The city is moving forward with selling part of a parcel to EnviroScience Inc. — the ordinance goes to council tonight after coming out of executive session.
Indoor sports training facility on Hudson Drive
A vacant industrial space would become a 13,680-square-foot soccer and goalkeeping training center. The old 500-foot separation rule from heavy industrial uses turns out to be unenforceable since the code no longer defines heavy industrial — a text amendment is coming.
AMP Entertainment District DORA
The city is getting a liquor license for the amphitheater concession stand — beer, wine, and canned mixed drinks only — and DORA legislation for the venue is expected September 24. This sets up how alcohol will be sold at city events.
2027 city budget first reading (Ordinance 2026-163)
The 2027 city budget is moving through council with a second reading and no vote yet — final passage still ahead.
Townhome Development at 2815 & 2845 Graham Road
A developer wants to build townhomes on two Graham Road parcels; the committee is only deciding whether townhomes are allowed as a use, with the detailed 34-unit site plan left for later review. Residents raised safety and access concerns at the Planning Commission, and staff added a condition voiding the permit if those concerns aren't fixed.
Greenhouse gas inventory data delays
Consultants have the GIS data for the tree-canopy assessment and will compare findings with Stow's 2013 study. Meanwhile, city departments are being asked to supply data for the first greenhouse gas inventory.
Development Pressure and New Zoning Standards
Huntington Bank opened a new branch, Panda Express and a Sheetz are breaking ground, and rezoning interest stretches down to Marsh Road — the area is hot for years to come.
Fishcreek Elementary holiday tree project
The commission will decorate a tree for Akron Children's Hospital (theme: Urban Woodlands) and is planning supplies for the Fishcreek Elementary holiday tree.
Library–Parks Partnership
The library and parks department keep building joint programming — silent book clubs in parks, senior tech help on Tuesdays, and shared events. Library budgets are shrinking, but the Friends and Foundation funds all programming, so residents can keep using it free of charge.
Board Role and Meeting Format
All three committees are advisory with no budgets, and Twinsburg meets only six times a year. Twinsburg's year-long single-use plastic bag ban effort went nowhere because state law keeps bag bans out of cities' hands.
Maple Tree Contest
17 trees entered so far with entries open through September; members will pair up to measure drip lines starting mid-September.
Zoning abatement cost recovery
As code enforcement steps up, the city pays Allscapes up to $49,000 to clean up problem properties — then bills owners through county special assessments, not liens.
Public Information Officer appointment (Ordinance 2026-164)
Ashley Cook was confirmed as the city's new public information officer, effective immediately as an emergency measure.
Quality-of-life policing enforcement
Ten residents petitioned council to keep enforcing laws against vandalism, littering, loitering, vagrancy, and public intoxication. The police chief confirmed the department never stopped enforcing these laws and pointed out several are felonies. Council took no action but the petition's concern appears addressed.
Fox Den Golf Course fuel costs
More rounds played at Fox Den mean more fuel use — the committee approved up to $50,000 for gas and diesel from Port Petroleum.
Fox Den golf shop merchandise budget
The Fox Den pro shop needed more buying power for TaylorMade golf merchandise to finish the season, with unsold stock returnable for credit next year.
Moral claim settlement rejected (Ordinance 2026-159)
A resident is claiming $250,000 for vehicle damage he says was caused by city-related debris. The Board of Control recommended denying the claim, but council is moving to settle for the full amount anyway, with a release of all claims required.
Pedestrian Crossing on Young Road at Sierra Vista
A resident asked why the new Young Road sidewalk has no crossing at Sierra Vista. The city says it doesn't recommend mid-block crossings there and is instead adding striping and signage at Duquesne Drive.
AEDs at Parks and Outdoor Recreation Areas
The city has AEDs in 10 buildings but none at outdoor athletic fields. Bids just came in ($800 to $5,000) and the city plans to buy four units for Silver Springs, Oregon Trail, and Adell Durbin locations — and it turns out state law requires them.
Ambulance Replacement Purchase (Ordinance 2026-162)
The Fire Department is getting a new ambulance at $298,449, bought without public bidding because it's a sole-source purchase. Delivery takes about 24 months.
Firearms rules in parks (Ordinance 2026-160)
Stow's park rules still banned taking guns into parks, but Ohio law (R.C. 9.68) preempts local gun rules — a legal risk that had been flagged since 2023. The fix keeps bans on unlawful discharge while respecting lawful carry.
Deer management
Residents — and council members themselves — report deer numbers exploding. Options like sterilization plus culling cost tens of thousands, take five to six years, and are limited to city property. No plan was scheduled.
Public Hearing
Stow City Council is hosting a public hearing on October 22 to talk about a brand-new ordinance. If you want to have a say in local policy changes, now is your chance to speak up.
Surveillance Technology
Stow police are crediting their new Flock license-plate reading cameras with helping them crack 80 different cases. It's a clear sign that automated tech is becoming a massive part of local policing.
Lawsuit
Omni Fiber is taking Stow to federal court to force the city to let them build a fiber internet network. If they win, you could finally get faster, more competitive internet options at home.
Assistant Fire Chief selection and fire department succession
Michael Lang Jr. was confirmed as fire chief and Mark Kozak as assistant chief, succeeding retiring Chief Stone. The mayor swears them in Sept. 17 at 3:30 p.m. at Station One.
Flock surveillance cameras removal request
A resident urged council to cancel the city's Flock camera contract, citing court filings and expert testimony that the cameras enable warrantless tracking. Council took no action but his full statement was entered into the record.
Graham Road sidewalks and connectivity
New sidewalks at Adell Durbin Park and Route 91 are done, but the Bike and Hike crossing near the future amphitheater is unmarked and grant funding for Norton Road improvements keeps getting rejected. Council may tap city money and ask residents whether they want sidewalks.
Street Department catch basin supplies (2026-158)
Inspecting basins before paving revealed far more decayed ones than usual — up to 71 this year instead of 12–15. The no-bid Migchelbrink contract keeps custom basins flowing so paving projects finish right.